Twins' Hicks helps Bravos stay unbeaten

Outfield prospect collects three hits, including RBI single in fifth

MLB.com

Venezuelan Winter League

Margarita 7, Caribes 6Aaron Hicks, the Twins' No. 3 prospect, went 3-for-5 with an RBI single as the Bravos held off the Caribes to improve to 3-0. Mets' No. 3 prospect Wilmer Flores homered for Margarita, while Minor League veteran Luis Durango had three hits and scored twice for Anzoategui. Box score

Zulia 9, Magallanes 1Braves farmhand Ernesto Mejia homered, drove in three runs and scored twice as the Aguilas pounded the Navegantes to extend their season-opening winning streak to three games. Tigers Minor Leaguer Justin Henry contributed three hits and also scored twice for Zulia, while Brandon Boggs (Pirates) drove in the only run for Magallanes. Box score

Aragua 4, Caracas 2Former Minor Leaguer Jonel Pacheco capped a four-run ninth inning with a two-run single as the Tigres stunned the Leones for their first win of the season. Astros farmhand Jose Martinez delivered a two-run double for Aragua, while Nationals Minor Leaguer Carlos Rivero homered in a losing effort. Box score

Mexican Pacific League

Obregon 9, Navojoa 2Major League veteran Willy Taveras went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and a run scored as the Yaquis opened the season by rolling past the Mayos. Red Sox prospect Jeremy Hazelbaker and Carlos Valencia both scored twice for Obregon, while Alejandro Gonzalez homered for Navojoa. Box score

Guasave 3, Los Mochis 2Mario Valenzuela homered to snap an eighth-inning tie as the Algodoñeros edged the Cañeros. Former Minor Leaguer Beau Vaughan struck out two in a scoreless ninth for the save, while Phillies' No. 7 prospect Sebastian Valle walked and scored a run for Los Mochis. Box score

Culiacan 6, Mazatlan 5Cory Aldridge, who spent the season with Triple-A Salt Lake, slugged a three-run homer and scored twice to lead the Tomateros past the Venados. Marlon Byrd doubled, singled and also scored a pair of runs for Culiacan, while Dodgers prospect J.T. Wise had two hits and an RBI for Mazatlan. Box score

Mexicali 4, Hermosillo 2 Sergio Mitre allowed one hit over five scoreless innings as the Aguilas held on for a season-opening win over the Naranjeros. Fellow Major League veteran Chris Roberson went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for Mexicali, which got a two-run double from Oscar Robles. Braves prospect Todd Cunningham homered for Hermosillo. Box score